Itinerary

Highlights of South America 2020
Date:
February 26, 2020 - March 31, 2020
Meeting point:
Stuart, FL (KSUA)
Length:
35 days / 34 nights
Mileage:
11,125 NM
Day 1 - Wednesday, February 26: Stuart, FL → Cartagena, Colombia (1,005nm)

Air Journey will greet you at Witham Field (KSUA) for a briefing about the forthcoming flight.

Fly to Colombia – one of the most ethnically diverse nations in South America – for our visit to Cartagena, undeniably one of Latin America’s most beautiful cities lost somewhere in time between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries, with the Caribbean sea as a sparkling backdrop. Sir Francis Drake laid siege to the city but the fortress walls and cannons remain, making the area within the old walled city a living museum.

Hotel : Sofitel Santa Clara
Welcome cocktail and Dinner included
Day 2 - Thursday, February 27: Cartagena

Enjoy a full day tour to experience Cartagena’s colonial charm with its tiled roofs, balconies and flower-filled courtyards. Relive history in the old walled city, the Ciudad Amarullada, where we’ll explore the four sectors, each one with a peculiar story to tell: San Diego, La Matuna, Getsemani and Santo Domingo. The tour will include a walking tour and a city tour to enjoy the highlights of this beautiful city.

Hotel : Sofitel Santa Clara
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 3 - Friday, February 28: Cartagena → Iquitos, Peru (860nm)

Fly to Iquitos, situated on the banks of the Amazon River in the heart of the northern Peruvian Amazon region.

Transfer to Iquitos’ Main Wharf where the M/V Aria awaits you. Once onboard, you will appreciate the low-key luxury atmosphere of the M/V Aria. Enjoy the view from the Upper Deck as we leave Iquitos behind.

Over the next three days, you will sail along some of the largest tributaries of the Amazon, as well as the mighty Amazon itself. You are embarking on a magnificent adventure to places visited by only a very few.

Amazon River Cruise

The 130-foot-long M/V Aria is the ultimate luxury cruise ship on the northern Amazon River in Peru. Built in 2011 to the highest standards of modern small ship cruise lines, it is fully air conditioned throughout and all the suites on the Aria Amazon are comparable to a 5-star hotel with private baths, luxury toiletries and fine linen bedding to lull you to sleep under the stars of the Amazon. From the gourmet Peruvian cuisine to the crystal and china service at dinner, the amenities onboard the Aria Amazon will treat you to an intimate but luxurious Amazon River cruise.

Three highly trained interpreter Amazon River guides will take you on as many as three expeditions a day, aboard comfortable motorized skiffs. They will give you both the big picture of life on the Amazon, and will point out the multitude of small details that make the region special - a howler monkey hidden in a tree, a vivid butterfly resting on a leaf, a bird, such as the endangered harpy eagle, enjoying the tranquility of the Amazon basin.

Includes all meals while onboard, all excursions and all beverages (alcoholic & non-alcoholic except premium brands).
 

Hotel : M/V Aria
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 4 - Saturday, February 29: Amazon River

The locals call Yacapana Islands "The Islands of the Iguana" because of the large number of these reptiles - like tiny dinosaurs - which inhabit them. Amazon folklore says that if you touch an iguana, you will develop some of its characteristics and, as no one wants to look like them, these animals are well protected. We will also see the famous Amazon River dolphins, pink or gray, along our route. Amazonian people believe that these dolphins possess the power to turn into men and women of great beauty.

After breakfast you will board a comfortable skiff to sail from the Amazon River to the Yarapa River. Life jackets, ponchos, rubber boots, and fresh water are always available in our private boats.

As you float down the Yarapa, past the occasional fishermen paddling in their canoes, keep your binoculars ready to spot wildlife: terns, tropical songbirds, black collared hawks and sloth share this wonderful world with us. Upon arrival at Lake Moringo, use your hooks to try to catch some of the ferocious piranhas and other fish species. As you fish, trained naturalist guides will tell the story of the lake and its inhabitants.

In the late afternoon we will sail on to Lake Clavero where villagers paddle in their traditional dugout canoes. You may wish to swim in the lake's calm waters and visit the community to interact with our Amazonia neighbors who will be pleased to welcome you.

Hotel : M/V Aria
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 5 - Sunday, March 1: Amazon River

This morning board the skiffs to explore a fascinating black water stream, part of the vast Amazon flooded forest within the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
 
Your guides will tell you about the jungle as you explore what scientists call a "gallery forest," because of its dense vegetation that creates a tunnel of leaves. As you explore this type of riparian vegetation, watch above for parrots, macaws and fluffy monk saki monkeys.
 
In the late afternoon you will take a magical journey through the "Jungle of the Mirrors," where towering trees are reflected in the dark river. Move on to Dorado River where you may observe enchanting parrots, macaws and a variety of primates unperturbed by our presence. As you make your way back to the Aria Amazon, you may see alligators, frogs and fishing bats.

 

Hotel : M/V Aria
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 6 - Monday, March 2: Disembark M/V Aria at Iquitos, Peru

We’ll visit the local fresh market with your guides who can identify the day’s catch by the fishermen of Amazonia and the region’s exotic fruits. Return to the Aria for breakfast and to pack up. Before saying goodbye, we visit the Manatee Rescue Center, a kind of animal orphanage for Amazonian manatees to rescue, rehabilitate and release them back into the wild. We will also visit San Juan craft market on route to Iquitos. 

Hotel : Doubletree Iquitos
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 7 - Tuesday, March 3: Iquitos > Cusco, Peru (590nm)

Fly to Cusco. Enjoy an afternoon city tour including the Santo Domingo Convent Monastery – the legendary Koricancha “Site of gold,” the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral.

Hotel : Hotel Monasterio
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 8 - Wednesday, March 4: Cusco

There will be an early morning departure to board the Orient Express luxury train “Hiram Bingham” for our visit to Machu Picchu. View spectacular scenery while you enjoy a delicious Brunch onboard.
 
You will arrive at the Lost Citadel of the Incas where you will be able to visit this stunning place. Take a guided tour of the citadel and stroll by the archeological site before enjoying an afternoon tea at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge Hotel.
 
As the sun goes down, you will return to the station for departure aboard the Vista Dome train. Back on board, you will be accorded VIP treatment with a cocktail accompanied with live entertainment.
 
Afterwards, you will be escorted to the dining car for a four-course gourmet dinner making your trip to Machu Picchu an unforgettable experience.
 

Hotel : Hotel Monasterio
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 9 - Thursday, March 5: Cusco

Today is at leisure to relax or explore on your own. 

Hotel : Hotel Monasterio
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 10 - Friday, March 6: Cusco → Uyuni, Bolivia (505 NM)

Fly to Uyuni. The Luna Salada Hotel is extraordinary because it is entirely made out of salt in Bolivia offering guests the essence of the Andes on the edge of the world’s largest salt flats. Step out onto the white salt pans to a vast expanse of white as far as the eye can see. The hotel offers sweeping panoramic views of Salar de Uyuni!

 

Hotel : Luna Salada Hotel (Salt Moon Hotel)
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 11 - Saturday, March 7: Uyuni

We’ll spend the day exploring the beautiful Salar de Uyuni (white desert) - the world's largest salt flat at 4,085 square miles. It’s estimated to contain 10 billion tons of salt (less than 25,000 tons are extracted annually).

 

Hotel : Luna Salada Hotel (Salt Moon Hotel)
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 12 - Sunday, March 8: Uyuni > Calama, Chile (170nm)

Fly to Calama, located 60 miles northwest of San Pedro de Atacama, an oasis in the desert, Valley of the Moon. We have selected our hotel Tierra Atacama, a deluxe hotel near San Pedro de Atacama, to enjoy excursions which will capture profound landscapes, natural events and inhabited places that bear the ingredients and surprises that make the experience unforgettable. Select your tours with the hotel (included).
 
Enjoy the casual and friendly ambiance at the hotel such as a seat in a private corner by one of the terrace fire pits, lounge next to the pool or relax on one of the shady outdoor decks. When night falls, take in the brilliant stars, bask in the peace and wonder that is the Atacama Desert.

 

Hotel : Tierra Atacama
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 13 - Monday, March 9: Calama

Your tour guide will be available to help you select from numerous tours available including walking, hiking, biking, volcano climbing, horseback riding, bird watching, as well as excursions by vehicle to the more remote areas. Excursions include visits to remote lagoons, red rock formations, salt flats, volcanoes, geysers, Moon Valley, petroglyphs, and small villages where you’ll meet local families.
 
In the evening, experience Astronomy in the starry desert! Tierra Atacama together with the Ahlarkapin Observatory offers an astronomy excursion that gives guests a unique chance to discover the southern skies while learning about its scientific and ancestral significance. First guests will observe the sky with the naked eye and later discover amazing visualizations through one of the largest private telescopes in the area to observe planets like Mars and Saturn.

Hotel : Tierra Atacama
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 14 - Tuesday, March 10: Calama

Your tour guide will be available to help you select from numerous tours available including hiking, trekking or biking.

Over the Quitor hill, a short distance from San Pedro are the ruins of the Pukará (fortress), constructed by the atacameños to defend themselves from other inhabitants of South America.
Built on the summit of a hill overlooking the San Pedro River, Pukara de Quitor is an ancient Indian fortress whose construction dates back to the XII century. It was declared a national monument in 1982.

Hotel : Tierra Atacama
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 15 - Wednesday, March 11: Calama > Santiago, Chile (660nm)

Our flight will follow the rugged coast of Chile. Admire the peaks of the Andes, see the well-manicured slopes of Chile’s famous wine region and land in the sophisticated and very European city of Santiago.
 

Hotel : Mandarin Oriental Santiago
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 16 - Thursday, March 12: Santiago

On our tour this morning we will discover the highlights of Chile’s capital. Visit landmarks such as Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Cerro Santa Lucia and La Moneda palace. Absorb the bohemian charm of Bellavista neighborhood. The afternoon is free for shopping or to relax at the hotel.

Hotel : Mandarin Oriental Santiago
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 17 - Friday, March 13: Santiago

South of Santiago there is a narrow valley between high cliffs, at the foothills of the Andes, where there lies the most important and productive vineyards of Chile for red grapes. The natural conditions of the Maipo Alto Valley are excellent for the production of premium wines. During our visit to one of these vineyards you’ll have the opportunity to see the whole process of wine making. We’ll end our visit with a wine tasting.

Hotel : Mandarin Oriental Santiago
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 18 - Saturday, March 14: Santiago > Puerto Montt > Puerto Natales, Chile to Torres Del Paine (495+615nm)

Fly to Puerto Natales. There will be a technical stop in Puerto Montt. Enjoy beautiful sightseeing along the way while we transfer to the Tierra Patagonia. Located in the furthermost south of Chile, the hotel is surrounded by nature, in splendid isolation, overlooking Lake Sarmiento and the towering peaks of Torres del Paine National Park which was named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978. You’ll consult with the head guide at the beginning of your stay to select the best excursions for you, taking into account individual interests and fit ness levels.

Hotel : Tierra Patagonia
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 19 - Sunday, March 15: Torres del Paine

Today a choice of selected tours will be available to either explore the lakes and glaciers, enjoy several waterfalls, or hike on one of the many tranquil trails. Excursion options include walks, treks, horseback rides, bicycle rides and scenic tours.
 

Hotel : Tierra Patagonia
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 20 - Monday, March 16: Torres del Paine

Enjoy the day hiking or sign up with the hotel for a full day tour.
 

Hotel : Tierra Patagonia
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 21 - Tuesday, March 17: Torres del Paine to Puerto Natales > Punta Aires, Chile > San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina (100+710nm)

Fly to San Carlos de Bariloche, a city  that stands out for its architectural features and for being located in a privileged region due to the beauty of its landscapes made up of mountains, woods, lakes, glaciers and an exuberant flora.

An ecologic paradise, the Llao Llao Hotel and Resort is situated on a small hill within the National Park Nahuel Huapi.

Enjoy exquisite panoramic views of the wonderful Patagonia landscape – limpid lakes, majestic Andean peaks, and colorful larch and cypress forests.

Hotel : Llao Llao Hotel & Resort
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 22 - Wednesday, March 18: San Carlos de Bariloche

Enjoy magnificent scenery on a half-day city scenic overview tour in the morning. Along the way we’ll pause at  several scenic lookout points including López Bay and "Punto Panorámico" (panoramic lookout). At Cerro Campanario, enjoy a chairlift ride offering a panorama of green and white mountain peaks permeated by clusters of blue lakes. We’ll arrive back at the hotel in time for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure.

 

Hotel : Llao Llao Hotel & Resort
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 23 - Thursday, March 19: San Carlos de Bariloche > Buenos Aires, Argentina (710nm)

Fly to the beautiful city of Buenos Aires - capital of Argentina. Transfer to the Four Seasons hotel for our three nights stay. This is an ideal location to relax and enjoy great shopping.

 

Hotel : Four Seasons Buenos Aires
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 24 - Friday, March 20: Buenos Aries

We will take a morning tour to discover the elegant and cosmopolitan Buenos Aires including the Recoleta Cemetery (where Eva Peron rests), Plaza 5 de Mayo and the large Parisian type avenues that testify the city’s incredible past wealth.
 
Afterwards, we’ll stop for lunch at one of the charming bistros around the Recoleta area.
 
The remainder of the day will be free to explore on your own and if you wish, indulge in some great shopping.
 
This evening we will enjoy dinner and a Tango performance - a delight not to be missed!

Hotel : Four Seasons Buenos Aires
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 25 - Saturday, March 21: Buenos Aires

Today is free to explore this beautiful city on your own. Dinner is not included tonight so you may experience a typical local restaurant of your choice.

Hotel : Four Seasons Buenos Aires
Breakfast included
Day 26 - Sunday, March 22: Buenos Aires > Punta del Este, Uruguay (170nm)

Fly to Punta del Este – known as “the Pearl of Uruguay.”
 
Estancia Vik Jose Ignacio sits on 4,000 spectacular acres of rolling countryside where herds of cattle, horses and sheep roam freely alongside wild ostrich, fox, armadillo and other indigenous wildlife. The private residence hotel is located on a high point of the estancia with magnificent views out over the Laguna and Southern Atlantic Ocean.

Hotel : Estancia Vik
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 27 - Monday, March 23: Punta del Este

Today is at leisure to relax or explore optional activities available at the resort. Enjoy the Absolute Nero granite swimming pool, gym and spa, private polo field and stable of Criollo riding horses. The polo field and adjoining golf green offer a wonderful golf practice area.
 
Handmade canoes, kayaks, kites and wind surfing gear, sail boats and fishing equipment are all available to enjoy the arroyo and nearby lakes. Nature walks, bird watching, tennis, bicycling and hiking are all part of the activities available.
 
The expansive property is host to riding and polo horses, farm animals, and indigenous wildlife. There is a game room with a pool table, table tennis and a variety of other games.

Hotel : Estancia Vik
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 28 - Tuesday, March 24: Punta del Este

 
Today is at leisure to relax or explore on your own. 

Hotel : Estancia Vik
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 29 - Wednesday, March 25: Punta del Este > Mendoza, Argentina (695nm)

Fly to Mendoza – the center of Argentina’s wine country. Nestled in a 35-acre vineyard, Cavas Wine Lodge offers stunning views of the Mendoza vineyards and the majestic Andes mountain range.

Hotel : Cavas Wine Lodge
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 30 - Thursday, March 26: Mendoza

We will visit some of the local wineries as we learn about tasting, harvesting, the winemaking process and the history of the viticulture in Mendoza while sampling excellent wines.

Hotel : Cavas Wine Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 31 - Friday, March 27: Mendoza > Arica, Chile > Pisco, Peru (870+435nm)

Fly to Pisco. There will be a technical stop in Arica, Chile.

Hotel : Hotel Paracas
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 32 - Saturday, March 28: Pisco

We’ll board a private yacht as we begin our adventure to the stunning Ballestas Island. We’ll stop at the Paracas Peninsula to see the enigmatic figure of the Candelabro - a stunning design drawn on the side of a hill in the Peninsula. Nobody knows for sure who did it or why but there are many hypotheses regarding its origin. Some believe it is related to the Nazca Lines but still found no proof or evidence that can define its creation.
 
Afterwards head to Ballestas Island where you’ll enjoy a stunning world filled with birds and sea lions. Visit the three islands at an allowed distance, navigating in some caves (depending on sea conditions).

Hotel : Hotel Paracas
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 33 - Sunday, March 29: Pisco > Guayaquil, Ecuador > Liberia, Costa Rica (725+835nm)

Fly to Liberia. Upon arrival, transfer to El Mangroove Resort & Spa. Overlooking the Gulf of Papagayo, the hotel hosts a setting that blends lush forests and sun-kissed beaches with modern design.

Hotel : El Mangroove Resort & Spa
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 34 - Monday, March 30: Liberia

Today is at leisure to relax and enjoy the pool and beach activities. Optional activities include snorkeling, paddle boarding, sport fishing, and kayaking.

Hotel : El Mangroove Resort & Spa
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 35 - Tuesday, March 31: Liberia > Miami, FL (1,000nm)

As the end of the voyage is within reach, one must only look back thirty-four days to understand an accomplishment of a life time. Not only will you have circumnavigated an entire continent, but more importantly, you will have experienced all three of the ancient cultures, seen countless world wonders and enjoyed great accommodations, all while being escorted through bureaucratic troubles which would plague such an attempt without Air Journey’s assistance.
 
After a most extraordinary and unique lifetime adventure one could ever hope, we will make our way back home. 

 

Breakfast included